Folks around here know that I've been disenchanted with the current governor of Texas for some years now, to the point that I campaigned against him in the 2010 gubernatorial primary and the 2012 race for the GOP presidential nomination. It is a matter of policy issues and political style.

But I won't deny one thing -- Rick Perry is a fundamentally decent human being.

Here's a story from one of my blogging buddies that illustrates that, about a moment Gov. Perry spent with a young girl today.

Being that the reception was filled with a bunch of journalists who were busy trying to get a quote for their next anti-Rick Perry screed, rather than guests in the home of the Governor it was hard to find a moment to introduce me niece — the only child in attendance — to the Governor. When we finally did get a moment, you could tell that he was relieved to get away from the reporters, and invited my niece into the library for an introduction and picture.

I mentioned to Gov. Perry – a big dog lover himself (we met his black Lab Rory at the end of the reception) — that my niece had just buried her beloved dog Nolan the night before. Gov. Perry immediately put his arm around her shoulder and said, “Come on, I want to show you something.” Then the two of them slipped out a side door between the dining room and the library and disappeared together out on the Mansion grounds.

When the came back in about 15 minutes later, my niece told me that Gov. Perry had taken her outside to show her where his last dog, Lady Perry, was buried on the Mansion grounds, and talked to her about life and loss and the value of a good dog.

It was a moment of simple and genuine kindness toward a little girl still mourning the loss of beloved dog, but one that made a huge impression on her. And one that she and I both appreciate immensely. Thank you, sir.

And thank you, Robbie, for sharing the story with us all.